Power head restraint flexible closeout cover

ABSTRACT

A flexible cover assembly is disposed on a vehicle seat having an adjustable headrest assembly. The adjustable headrest assembly includes a headrest bun and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest bun between extended and retracted positions. A trim component is disposed a seatback and includes a relief portion configured to receive a portion of the adjustment mechanism as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position. A flexible cover member is coupled to the trim component at the relief portion. The flexible cover member includes a plate member operable between extend and retracted positions. The portion of the adjustment mechanism received in the relief portion of the trim component is configured to abut an inner surface of the plate member to move the plate member towards the extended position as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position by the adjustment mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a headrest assembly for avehicle seat, and more particularly, to an adjustable headrest assemblyhaving a flexible cover member configured to conceal components of theheadrest assembly when adjusting the headrest assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the automotive industry, a number of headrest designs are availablethat provide adjustment of a headrest to accommodate a variety ofvehicle occupants in multiple positions. A headrest assembly that canprovide adequate adjustment is desired in order to satisfy the needs ofvarious vehicle occupants, and such a headrest should be aestheticallypleasing as well by providing a flexible cover member to conceal movingparts of the headrest assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seat having aseatback with an upper portion supporting an adjustable headrestassembly. The adjustable headrest assembly includes a headrest bun andan adjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest bun between extendedand retracted positions. A trim component is disposed on the upperportion of the seatback and includes a relief portion configured toreceive a portion of the adjustment mechanism as the headrest bun isdriven towards the extended position. A flexible cover member is coupledto the trim component at the relief portion. The flexible cover memberincludes a plate member operable between extend and retracted positions.The portion of the adjustment mechanism received in the relief portionof the trim component is configured to abut an inner surface of theplate member to move the plate member towards the extended position asthe headrest bun is driven towards the extended position by theadjustment mechanism.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a flexible cover memberfor a vehicle seat having a frame with a lower portion and upwardlyextending spaced-apart side members. A plate member is received in theframe and operable between extended and retraced positions. A flexiblejoint is disposed between the plate member and the lower portion of theframe, and first and second flexible connectors are disposed on oppositeends of the plate member for interconnecting the plate member with theside members of the frame.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seathaving a headrest assembly with an adjustment mechanism for adjusting aposition of a headrest bun. A flexible cover member is disposed belowthe headrest assembly and includes a plate member engaged with theadjustment mechanism. The plate member is operable between extend andretracted positions relative to a frame. The plate member is movedtowards the extended position as the headrest bun is driven outwardly bythe adjustment mechanism.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat having a headrestassembly as disposed in a vehicle interior;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of a headrest assembly according toan embodiment of the present invention, wherein a headrest bun of theheadrest assembly is in a retracted position;

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of the headrest of FIG. 2A with theheadrest bun in a forward position relative to FIG. 2A, therebyrevealing an adjustable cover assembly;

FIG. 2C is a side elevational view of the headrest of FIG. 2B showingthe headrest bun in a full forward position;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly showing anadjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest bun;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 3Awith the headrest bun in a forward position relative to FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 3Bwith the headrest bun in a forward position relative to FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a headrest assembly with a reartrim cover and headrest bun removed to reveal a linkage system in aretracted position;

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4Awith the linkage system in a fully extended position;

FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a rear perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of the headrest of FIG. 2A with ashroud removed to reveal the adjustable cover assembly;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the headrest of FIG. 5A with theadjustable cover assembly in a partially extended position;

FIG. 5C is a side elevational view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 5Bwith the adjustable cover assembly in a fully extended position;

FIG. 5D is a side elevational view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 5Awith a rear portion of the adjustable cover assembly shown in multiplepositions superimposed over the other;

FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 2Ashowing an engagement flange spaced away from an interior rim of thehousing;

FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 2Bshowing the engagement flange abutting the interior rim of the housing;

FIG. 5G is a cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 2Cshowing the engagement flange pivoted relative to the interior rim ofthe housing;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a cover plate;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a rear perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 7B ascoupled to a frame component of a vehicle seat;

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 7Acoupled to the vehicle seat of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 8A shownin phantom to reveal various coupling components of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of a headrest assembly having thecover plate of FIG. 7A disposed thereon in a retracted position;

FIG. 9B is a side elevational view of the headrest assembly of FIG. 9Ashown in an extended position, with the cover plate also in an extendedposition;

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a headrest assembly with aheadrest bun in a fully extended position.

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG.10A with the headrest bun removed;

FIG. 11A is a front perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG.10B with a rear housing removed;

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of the headrest assembly of FIG.11A with the adjustable cover assembly removed to reveal the linkagesystem;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a headrest assembly shown in aretracted position with components of the adjustable cover assemblyexploded away from the linkage system;

FIG. 13A is a front perspective view of components of another embodimentof an adjustable cover assembly exploded away from one another;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly components ofFIG. 13A in an assembled condition showing a spacer of the first memberof the cover assembly spaced-apart from a front engagement edge of asecond member of the cover assembly; and

FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly components ofFIG. 13B showing the engagement edge of the second member positioned incontact with the spacer of the first member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 is shown disposed within avehicle interior 14 of a vehicle 12. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seatportion 16 which is coupled to a seatback 18. The seatback 18 includesan upper portion 18 a having a headrest assembly 20 mounted thereon. Theheadrest assembly 20 includes a housing 24 that is a rear housingdisposed adjacent to an adjustable headrest bun 22. The headrest bun 22is contemplated to be a cushioned member configured to support the headof a vehicle occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10. The vehicle seat 10of FIG. 1 is shown as a driver's side vehicle seat, however, it iscontemplated that the headrest assembly 20 of the present invention maybe disposed on any vehicle seat within a vehicle, including passengerseats, rear seats, folding seats and third row passenger seat options.As such, the headrest assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1 is not intended tolimit the spirit of the invention as shown on a front driver's sidevehicle seat 10.

As noted above, the headrest assembly 20 is an adjustable headrestassembly, wherein the headrest bun 22 is contemplated to be adjustablein a forward direction, as indicated by arrow F between extended andretracted positions, as well as a vertical direction, as indicated byarrow V, between raised and lowered positions, relative to the housing24. In the position shown in FIG. 1, the headrest assembly 20 iscontemplated to be in a home position H which correlates to the headrestbun 22 being in the lowered vertical position L and the retracedhorizontal position R, such that the headrest bun 22 is disposeddirectly in front of the housing 24. Movement of the headrest bun 22 iscontemplated to be powered by one or more powered adjustment mechanismsthat are substantially concealed by the housing 24 when the headrestassembly 20 is in the home position H.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, the headrest assembly 20 is shown in the homeposition H with the headrest bun 22 in the retracted position R relativeto the housing 24. The headrest assembly 20 is supported from andmounted to a seatback frame 28 that is generally positioned within theseatback 18 (FIG. 1) in assembly. The headrest bun 22 is shown as atwo-piece member having a cushioned front portion 22 a, for engagement(or abutting support) by a user, and a rear coupling portion 22 b. Thehousing 24 is also a two-piece member having a front shroud 24 a andrear shroud 24 b which are used to surround and conceal variousadjustment mechanisms and systems used to adjust a position of theheadrest bun 22. As further shown in FIG. 2A, an adjustable coverassembly 30 is disposed in a stowed position S, and is configured tocover an area between the headrest bun 22 and the housing 24, as furtherdescribed below. The adjustable cover assembly 30, as further shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C, is better revealed as the headrest bun 22 moves forwardin a direction as indicated by arrow F relative to the housing 24. Theadjustable cover assembly 30 is contemplated to be a plastic injectionmolded multi-part assembly that is configured to substantially concealvarious adjustment mechanisms and systems of the headrest assembly 20 asthe headrest bun 22 is adjusted horizontally relative to the housing 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, the headrest bun 22 is shown in a forwardposition F1, wherein the headrest bun 22 has moved in a car-forwarddirection along the path indicated by arrow F with respect to thehousing 24. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2B, the coupling portion 22 b ofheadrest bun 22 is shown spaced away from the front shroud 24 a of thehousing 24 to define a spacing S therebetween. With the spacing Sbetween the coupling portion 22 b of the headrest bun 22 and the frontshroud 24 a of the housing 24, the adjustable cover assembly 30 can beseen having two gap-hiding members, a first member 30 a and a secondmember 30 b, which together conceal adjustment components of theheadrest assembly 20 over the spacing S. It is contemplated that thefirst member 30 a can nest within the second member 30 b, or vice versa,such that the adjustable cover assembly 30 can telescopingly extend in aseemingly horizontal manner as the headrest bun 22 is driven away fromthe housing 24 in the forward direction as indicated by arrow F. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the adjustable cover assembly 30 is in amid-position M, wherein the first member 30 a is partially received inthe second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30. Further, thefirst member 30 a is contemplated to be fully retracted and partiallyreceived in a nested position within the second member 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 when the headrest bun 22 is in theretracted position R (FIG. 2A). Thus, the first member 30 a and thesecond member 30 b can also be referred to as inner and outer members orgap-hiders given the nesting or telescoping relationship of the twocomponents.

The adjustable cover assembly 30 is coupled to a linkage system 52 (FIG.3A) that acts as a carrier for the headrest bun 22 that is also coupledto the linkage system 52. Engagement between the first member 30 a ofthe adjustable cover assembly 30 and the linkage system 52 is furtherdescribed below with reference to FIG. 12. The adjustable cover assembly30 is further coupled to the housing 24 by a kinetic engagement betweenthe second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 and the frontshroud 24 a of the housing 24. The housing 24 is a stationary assemblythat is coupled to and supported by the seatback frame 28. Thus, as theheadrest bun 22 moves horizontally in the direction as indicated byarrow F, the adjustable cover assembly 30 follows the headrest bun 22 onthe linkage system 52 and extends in a telescoping-like manner, asfurther described below. In this way, the adjustable cover assembly 30is a slave to the movement of the linkage system 52 and headrest bun 22,and only extends or retracts as a condition of the movement of thelinkage system 52. Thus, the adjustable cover assembly 30 acts as atwo-piece gap hider for the headrest assembly 20 by concealingadjustment components that would otherwise be revealed in the spacing Sbetween the headrest bun 22 and the housing 24 as the headrest bun 22extends outwardly towards the extended position E (FIG. 2C).

Referring now to FIG. 2C, the headrest bun 22 of the headrest assembly20 is shown in the extended position E, which is contemplated to be afull extension of the headrest bun 22 in the direction as indicated byarrow F relative to the housing 24. In FIG. 2C, the first member 30 a ofthe adjustable cover assembly 30 is more clearly shown given theincreased spacing S between the coupling portion 22 b of the headrestbun 22 and the front shroud 24 a of the housing 24. In FIG. 2C, thefirst member 30 a is in an outwardly extended position relative to thesecond member 30 b, such that the first member 30 a is no longer nestedwith the second member 30 b. Thus, in FIG. 2C, relative to FIG. 2A, theadjustable cover assembly 30 has moved from a stowed position S to adeployed position D due to the linkage system 52 driving headrest bun 22to the extended position E from the retracted position R. As shown inFIG. 2C, the headrest assembly 20 of the present invention provides alarge range of extension of the headrest bun 22 in a forward direction Frelative to the housing 24, thereby providing enhanced comfort for avehicle occupant. As further shown in FIG. 2C, while the headrest bun 22is in the forward most position E, the adjustment mechanisms of theheadrest assembly 20, that provide for this horizontal extension, aresubstantially concealed by the adjustable cover assembly 30 and thehousing 24. With the adjustment mechanisms concealed, the headrestassembly 20 of the present invention provides for a more pleasingaesthetic relative to adjustable headrest assemblies known in themarketplace. Thus, the adjustable cover assembly 30 is operable betweenstowed and deployed positions S, D (FIGS. 2A and 2C, respectively)depending on the extended position of the linkage system 52 and theheadrest bun 22. It is contemplated that the headrest bun 22 can moveforward relative to the housing 24 about 50 mm to the extended positionE from retracted position R. Other ranges of forward movement are alsocontemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a cross-section of the headrest assembly 20 isshown in the home position H with the housing 24 removed to reveal theadjustment mechanisms configured to power movement of the headrest bun22 between the extended and retracted positions E, R (FIGS. 2C, 2A,respectively). The headrest bun 22 is shown coupled to a support plate40 which is adjustably coupled to a mounting plate 42 disposed withinthe housing 24 in the configuration of FIG. 3A. The headrest bun 22 isvertically adjustable along the path as indicated by arrow V by achannel and rail arrangement 44 disposed between the support plate 40and mounting plate 42. The channel and rail arrangement 44 between theheadrest bun 22 and the mounting plate 42 is contemplated to be anarrangement utilizing multiple channels and multiple rails receivedtherein. As shown in FIG. 3A, a channel 46 is coupled to the mountingplate 42 on a front side 42 a of the mounting plate 42, and configuredto slideably receive a rail 48 therein. The rail 48 is coupled to thesupport plate 40. Vertical movement of the headrest bun 22 iscontemplated to be powered by an adjustment mechanism, shown in the formof a linear actuator A2.

As further shown in FIG. 3A, the mounting plate 42 further includes arear side 42 b having outwardly extending brackets 50. The brackets 50are contemplated to be twin brackets which rearwardly extend from therear side 42 b of the mounting plate 42 as best shown in FIGS. 4C and4D. The brackets 50 serve as a pivoting attachment location for thelinkage system 52. Given the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A, only aportion of the linkage system 52 is shown, however, it is contemplatedthat the linkage system 52 will be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art as shown in FIG. 3A, and better shown in FIGS. 4A-4D asfurther described below. The linkage system 52 may be a four bar linkagesystem having various sized links. One or more links may have multiplepivoting locations to provide a multiple link system operating as areinforced four bar linkage between fore and aft positions. The linkagesystem 52 is contemplated to translate the headrest bun 22 between anextended position E, as shown in FIG. 2C, and a retracted position R, asshown in FIGS. 2A and 3A. The linkage system 52 is comprised of aplurality of links which are rigid members pivotally connected to oneanother as further described below.

As further shown in FIG. 3A, the linkage system 52 includes a front orfirst link 54, which may be described as an output link, having an upperportion 56 which is pivotally coupled to a bracket 50 of mounting plate42 at pivot point P1. The first link 54 is contemplated to be one of apair of front links which are interconnected by a cross member 58 toform a unitary front link assembly. A second or rear link 60, which maybe described as an input link, is further shown in FIG. 3A having anupper portion 62 which is pivotally coupled to bracket 50 of themounting plate 42 at pivot point P2. Much like the first link 54, thesecond link 60 is contemplated to be one of a pair of rear links whichare interconnected by a cross member 64. Cross member 64 is shown inFIG. 3A in the form of a plate connecting the rear links 60 of thelinkage system 52 to define a unitary rear link assembly. Thus, themounting plate 42 and the brackets 50 act as a coupler for the outputlink (first link 54) and input link (second link 60) in the linkagesystem 52. The linkage system 52 is configured to guide the movement ofthe headrest bun 22 from the retracted position R to a range of forwardpositions disposed along the path as indicated by arrow F. The movementof the headrest bun 22 between extended and retracted positions alongthe path as indicated by arrow F is powered by an adjustment mechanismshown in the form of a linear actuator A1, which is configured to drivethe linkage system 52 between fore and aft positions. The first link 54and the second link 60 are further pivotally coupled to a base plate 70at pivot points P3, P4, respectively. Pivot point P3 is better shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. The base plate 70, which can be described as a groundlink, is contemplated to extend in a substantially horizontal mannerbetween the pairs of first and second links 54, 60. In FIG. 3A, a lowerportion 66 of second link 60 is shown as coupled to a first side 72 ofthe base plate 70 at pivot point P4, better shown in FIG. 3C. As notedabove, the first link 54, second link 60, and base plate 70 all definelinks of the linkage system 52 that are rigid members pivotally coupledto one another.

As further shown in FIG. 3A, the first actuator A1 is coupled to abracket 80 which is further coupled to a bottom wall 74 of the baseplate 70. The bracket 80 is contemplated to be a connecting bracketwhich pivotally couples the first actuator A1 at a pivot point P5 thatis driven by, yet independent of, the linkage system 52. The firstactuator A1 includes a motor 82 which is operably coupled to a spindleor threaded member 84. The threaded member 84 is configured to be drivenby the motor 82 in a direction as indicated by arrow 86, such that firstactuator A1 is a linear actuator. A connecting tab 88 is disposed on anupper portion of the threaded member 84 and is pivotally connected to aconnecting bracket 68 extending outwardly from the cross member 64 ofthe second link 60 at pivot point P6. With the headrest bun 22 in theretracted position R, the first actuator A1 is configured to drive thethreaded member 84 downward in the direction as indicated by arrow 86using the motor 82 which is threadingly engaged with the threaded member84 to extend the headrest bun 22. In this way, the first actuator A1 isconfigured to drive the headrest bun 22 forward as indicated by arrow Fby drawing the linkage system 52 downward and forward. As the threadedmember 84 is driven downward in a direction as indicated by arrow 86,the coupling of the connecting tab 88 to connecting bracket 68 of thesecond link 60 draws the second link 60 downward to drive the four barlinkage system 52 in the forward and downward direction, as furthershown in FIGS. 3B-3D. The base plate 70 of the linkage system 52 iscontemplated to be a stationary base plate that is pivotally connectedto the first and second links 54, 60 at pivot points P3 and P4. With theupwardly extending connecting bracket 80 providing an independentpivoting location P5 for the first actuator A1, the first actuator A1has a stand-alone pivot location relative to the linkage system 52. Inthis way, the first actuator A1 can pivot as necessary, in anindependent manner relative to the linkage system 52, as the linkagesystem 52 translates forward and back as the position of the headrestbun 22 is adjusted by a user.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, the headrest bun 22 is shown in a forwardposition F1 which is similar to position F1 shown in FIG. 2B. Thus, thespacing S can now be seen between the headrest bun 22 and cross member58 of the first link 54. In FIG. 3B, the threaded member 84 has beendriven by the motor 82 of the first actuator A1 in a downward directionas indicated by arrow 86 to a position X. In this way, the linkagesystem 52 has been driven by the first actuator A1 to a forward positionX from the home position H shown in FIG. 3A. In moving the headrest bun22 to the forward position F1, the threaded member 84 moves from thehome position H (FIG. 3A) to the position X shown in FIG. 3B. Similarly,the linkage system 52 moves from the home position H shown in FIG. 3A tothe translated position X shown in FIG. 3B. It is contemplated thatforward position F1 of the headrest bun 22 as shown in FIG. 3B isapproximately one-third of the forward range of movement of the headrestbun 22 of the present concept.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, the headrest bun 22 is shown in anintermediate position F2 that is forward of position F1 shown in FIG.3B. In FIG. 3C, the threaded member 84 has been driven by the motor 82of actuator A1 to a position Y which correlates to the linkage system 52being translated to a forward position Y, thereby providing theincreased spacing S shown in FIG. 3C relative to FIG. 3B. In theintermediate position F2, the headrest bun 22 is contemplated to beapproximately two-thirds forward with respect to the full range ofmotion of the headrest bun 22 as driven by the linkage system 52.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, the linkage system 52 of the headrest assembly20 is shown with the housing 24 and the headrest bun 22 removed from theheadrest assembly 20. In FIG. 4A, the linkage system 52 is in the homeposition or aft position H which represents a recessed or retractedposition, wherein the headrest bun 22 would be disposed directlyadjacent to the housing 24, as shown in FIG. 2A, and the linkage system52 would be substantially concealed by and housed within the housing 24(FIG. 2A). As further shown in FIG. 4A, the mounting plate 42 is coupledto the support plate 40 and includes rearwardly extending dual brackets50 having pivot points P1, P2 for pivotally coupling the first link 54and second link 60. The second link 60 is shown pivotally coupled to thebase plate 72 at pivot point P4 and the first link 54 is shown pivotallycoupled to the base plate 72 at pivot point P3 disposed on a mountingbracket 73 extending upward from the base plate 72. A support structure90 is shown having support rods 26 extending therefrom for coupling theheadrest assembly 20 to seatback frame member 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, the linkage system 52 is shown in the fullyextended fore position Z, wherein the support plate 40 is fully extendedaway from the support structure 90. In the fully extended position Z,the linkage system 52 reveals cross member 58 which interconnects twinpairs of the first links 54 as described above. The mounting plate 42,the first and second links 54, 60, and the base plate 72 arecontemplated to be unitary parts which are rigid members that arepivotally connected to one another at pivot points (P1-P4) to provideextension of the support plate 40 between retracted and extendedpositions. In the position shown in FIG. 4B, the support plate 40correlates to the headrest bun 22 being in the fully extended position Eas shown in FIG. 2C. In the fully extended or fore position Z, thelinkage system 52 is concealed by a combination of the adjustable coverassembly 30 and the housing 24, as shown in FIG. 2C.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, the headrest assembly 20 is shown with thelinkage system 52 in the aft position H as similarly shown in FIG. 4A.The second link 60 is shown as a unitary plate, wherein the dual secondlinks 60 are interconnected by cross member 64. In FIG. 4C, the mountingplate 42 is shown having dual brackets 50 extending rearwardly therefromfor pivotally connecting the first and second links 54, 60 at pivotpoints P1, P2.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, the linkage system 52 is in the fully extendedfore position Z with the support plate 40 in the lowered position. FIG.4D is a rear view of the headrest assembly 20 as shown in FIG. 4B. InFIGS. 4C and 4D, the second actuator A2 is shown coupled to the mountingplate 42 for vertical movement of the support plate 40 in the directionas indicated by arrow V. As shown in FIG. 4D, the second actuator A2 isoperably coupled to the support plate 40 through an access aperture 42 cdisposed through the mounting plate 42. Thus, access aperture 42 c iscontemplated to be of sufficient vertical length to accommodate fullvertical movement of the headrest bun 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, the headrest assembly 20 is shown in a homeposition H with the headrest bun 22 in the retracted position R. Thehousing 24 has been removed to show the adjustable cover assembly 30 inthe stowed position S. As such, the linkage system 52 is contemplated tobe in the aft position H best shown in FIG. 4C. With the linkage system52 in the aft position H, the first member 30 a of the adjustable coverassembly 30 is partially received within the second member 30 b. Withthe adjustable cover assembly 30 in the stowed position S, the firstmember 30 a is in its rearward most received position relative to secondmember 30 b. Further, when the adjustable cover 30 is in the stowedposition S, the second member 30 b is recessed into the housing 24 andfully concealed by the housing 24 as shown in FIG. 2A. As noted above,and further described below with reference to FIG. 12, the first member30 a of the adjustable cover assembly 30 is coupled to the linkagesystem 52 at an upper portion of mounting plate 42. The second member 30b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 is pivotally coupled to firstmember 30 a, as further described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and13A. As coupled together, the first member 30 a is moveably associatedwith second member 30 b, in that when the first member 30 a moves withthe linkage system 52, to which the first member 30 a is coupled, thesecond member 30 b will also move.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the adjustable cover assembly 30 is in amid-position M, wherein it is contemplated that the linkage system 52has moved from the aft position H shown in FIG. 5A, to a forwardposition X shown in FIG. 5B. In the forward position X shown in FIG. 5B,the linkage system 52 has driven the headrest bun 22 to a forwardposition F1. In driving the headrest bun 22 to the forward position F1,the linkage system 52 has carried the first member 30 a and secondmember 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 in a forward directionas best indicated relative to support structure 90 shown in FIG. 5B.Thus, as compared to FIG. 5A, wherein the second member 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 is in a first position A, the second member30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 is now in a second position Bas shown in FIG. 5B. Similarly, the first member 30 a is shown in afirst position A in FIG. 5A, and is now shown in a second position B inFIG. 5B. In position B, the first member 30 a is extended outward from apartially nested position within the second member 30 b. Further, withthe second member 30 b in position B, the second member 30 b isconsidered to be partially extending outward from the housing 24 in amanner as shown in FIG. 2B.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second member 30 b includes anoutwardly extending engagement flange 92 disposed around side and topportions of the second member 30 b. In assembly, the outwardly extendingengagement flange 92 of the second member 30 b is configured to engagean interior rim portion of the housing 24 at front shroud 24 a as bestshown in FIG. 5F. With the adjustable cover assembly 30 in themid-position M, it is contemplated that the engagement flange 92 of thesecond member 30 b will be in contact with the interior rim of the frontshroud 24 a of the housing 24. Contact between the front shroud 24 a andthe engagement flange 92 will close out any gaps into the housing 24 andcause the second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 topivot in a direction as indicated by arrow 94 at pivot point P7. Pivotpoint P7 represents a pivoted coupling between the first member 30 a andthe second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30, as furtherdescribed below.

Referring now to FIG. 5C, the adjustable cover assembly 30 is shown inthe fully deployed position D with the headrest bun 22 in the fullyextended position E. In the position shown in FIG. 5C, it iscontemplated that the linkage system 52 is in the fore position Z shownin FIG. 4D. With the linkage system 52 driving the headrest bun 22 tothe fully extended position E, the engagement flange 92 is contemplatedto have retained the upper portion of the second member 30 b against theinterior rim portion of the front shroud 24 a of the housing 24 to pivotthe second member 30 b from position B (FIG. 5B) to a rearwardly tiltedposition C shown in FIG. 5C. Again, the pivoting of the second member 30b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 occurs at pivot point P7. Thus,the upper portion 96 of the second member 30 b moves rearwardly in apath as indicated by arrow 98 as the second member 30 b pivots in adirection as indicated by arrow 94 at pivot point P7. Again, thispivoting action occurs when engagement flange 92 engages an interior ofthe front shroud 24 a of the housing 24 as the headrest bun 22 is drivento the extended position E by the linkage system 52.

Referring now to FIG. 5D, multiple positions of the second member 30 bof the adjustable cover assembly 30 are shown as positions A, B and Csuperimposed over one another. Positions A, B and C represent thepositions individually shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, respectively. FIG.5D is used to show relative pivoting movement of the second member 30 bof the adjustable cover assembly 30 at pivot point P7 along the path asindicated by arrow 94.

Referring now to FIGS. 5E, 5F and 5G the front shroud 24 a of thehousing 24 is shown having an opening 99 through which the adjustablecover assembly 30 outwardly extends. In FIGS. 5E and 5F, the housing 24is shown in a cross-sectional view to reveal an interior rim portion 100disposed along the opening 99 of the front shroud 24 a. With specificreference to FIG. 5E, the engagement flange 92 of the second member 30 bis shown spaced away from the interior rim portion 100 of the frontshroud 24 a of the housing 24. As the headrest bun 22 moves to theforward position F1 shown in FIG. 5F, the engagement flange 92 of thecover assembly 30 contacts and abuts an interior surface of the interiorrim portion 100 of the front shroud 24 a of the housing 24. Thisengagement between the engagement flange 92 of the cover assembly 30 andthe interior rim portion 100 of the housing 24 closes out the opening 99of the front shroud 24 a and further causes the second member 30 b ofthe cover assembly 30 to pivot or rotate about pivot point P7 in thedirection as indicated by arrow 94. During the pivoting movement of thesecond member 30 b, an upper portion 96 of the second member 30 b istilted rearwardly in a direction as indicated by arrow 98. This pivotingmotion continues as the headrest bun 22 is moved to the fully extendedposition E shown in FIG. 5G.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another embodiment of a vehicle seat10 a is shown having a headrest assembly 20 a disposed in a homeposition H. The vehicle seat 10 a includes a number of features akin tothe vehicle seat 10 shown in FIG. 1, for which like reference numeralsare included in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Similarly, the headrest assembly 20 aincludes features similar to those found in the headrest assembly 20shown in FIG. 1. The housing 24 c of the headrest assembly 20 a is amore substantial housing as compared to the housing 24 of the headrestassembly 20 of FIG. 1. The housing 24 c of headrest assembly 20 aprovides a more fluid contour from the headrest assembly 20 a to theseatback 18 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The headrest bun22 of vehicle seat 10 a is contemplated to be an adjustable headrest bunshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B in the home position H. The headrest bun 22 iscontemplated to be moved via a linkage system similar to linkage system52 described above.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, a flexible cover member 130 is shown having aplate member 132 that is generally centrally located within a supportframe 134. The plate member 132 includes a front side 132A and a rearside 132B (FIG. 7B). The support frame 134 is contemplated to beintegrally connected to the plate member 132 having a flexible joint 136operably disposed therebetween. Having the flexible joint 136, the platemember 132 is operable between extended and retracted positions asfurther described below with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. As furthershown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the support frame 134 includes first andsecond upright side members 138, 140 which are spaced-apart andinterconnected by a lower connecting portion 142. The upright sidemembers 138, 140 upwardly extend from the lower connecting portion 142.Together, the first and second upright side members 138, 140 and thelower portion 142 of the support frame 134 are rigid members defining agenerally U-shaped configuration of the support frame 134 in which theplate member 132 is received. The flexible joint 136 is in the form of aliving hinge disposed between a lower portion 132C of the plate member132 and connecting portion 142 of the support frame 134. The flexiblecover member 130 is contemplated to be a unitary member as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B that may be injection molded to include the componentparts noted above in a single cover member.

With further reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a plurality of mounting slots144 are disposed around the support frame 134 for connecting the supportframe 134 to a vehicle seat as further described below. A pair offlexible connectors 150, 152 are operably coupled to the first andsecond upright side members 138, 140 of the support frame 134 andfurther connected to the plate member 132 at opposite sides thereof. Thefirst and second flexible connectors 150, 152 each include retractableportions 154, 156, respectively, which provide sufficient material toallow the plate member 132 to move between extended and retractedpositions relative to the support frame 134. The retractable portions154, 156 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C include inwardlyextending bunched material portions that can be stretched orstraightened out to accommodate movement of the plate member 132 to theextended position from the retracted position. The flexible connectors150, 152 are contemplated to be made of a soft polymeric material thatis flexibly resilient and integrally molded with the plate member 132and the support frame 134. Having the flexible connectors 150, 152disposed on opposite sides of the plate member 132, the plate member 132can stretch to an extended position as a headrest assembly ishorizontally extended, and recover its design position or retractedposition as the headrest assembly retracts to the home position. Giventhe flexibly resilient nature of the retractable portions 154, 156, theplate member 132 will outwardly extend towards the extended positiononly as far as necessary as driven by the movement of an associatedheadrest assembly.

With specific reference to FIG. 7B, the rear or inner surface 132B ofthe plate member 132 is shown having a rigidifying member in the form ofa molded-in stiffener 160 disposed thereon. The molded-in stiffener 160includes a plurality of heat stacking features 162 that help providestructural rigidity to the plate member 132.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, the flexible cover member 130 is shown coupledto an inner surface 19A of a closeout member 19 that is generallydisposed at the upper portion 18 a of the seatback 18 as shown in FIG.6A. The closeout member 19 is a trim component of the vehicle seat 10 adisposed below the adjustable headrest assembly 20 a. Attachment clips164 outwardly extend from the inner surface 19A of the closeout member19 and are received through fastening slots 144 disposed around thesupport frame 134 of the flexible cover member 130. In this way, theflexible cover member 130 easily attaches to the seat assembly forcovering components of a headrest assembly as further described below.The flexible cover member 130 is releasably coupled to the closeoutmember 19, thereby providing selective access to various components ofthe headrest assembly for maintenance thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, the flexible cover member 130 is shown in aretracted position R as coupled to upper portion 18 a of the seatback 18at closeout member 19. In the retracted position R, the flexible covermember 130 is in a substantially horizontal position, or morespecifically, in a common plane with the seatback 18. Thus, the flexibleconnectors 150, 152 are in a retracted or at-rest states. As furthershown in FIG. 8A, the closeout member 19 includes a relief portion 19Cwhich is configured to receive a portion of the linkage system 52 whenthe linkage system moves towards the fore position from the aftposition. The flexible cover member 130 is coupled to the closeoutmember 19 at the relief portion 19C to close off the relief portion 19Cand conceal the linkage system. With reference to FIG. 8B, the flexiblecover member 130 is shown in phantom, such that a lower portion 59 ofthe linkage system 52 is disposed directly against the rear or innersurface 132B of the plate member 132. The lower portion 59 of thelinkage system 52 may be the cross member 58 shown in FIG. 3A asdescribed above. Any other portion of the linkage system 52 may be incontact with the inner surface 132B of the flexible cover member 130 forurging the flexible cover member 130 to an extended position as furtherdescribed below. It is noted that in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the headrest bun22 has been removed to reveal the channel and rail arrangement 44disposed on the mounting plate 42 of the linkage system 52.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, the flexible cover member 130 is shown in theretracted position R, wherein the plate member 132 is substantiallyhorizontal and flexible connector 152 is in an at-rest position againstthe linkage system 52. Flexible connector 150 is not shown in FIGS. 9Aand 9B, but presumed to function in a similar manner as flexibleconnector 152. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, the linkage system 52is contemplated to be in a home position H, such that the headrest bun22 is in a retracted position R. Thus, in the configuration shown inFIG. 9A, the linkage system 52 is akin to the position of the linkagesystem 52 shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A and 4C. In FIG. 9B, the linkage system52 has translated outwardly to move the headrest bun 22 to a forwardposition F1, such that the linkage system 52 is in a forward position Yas further discussed above and also referenced in FIG. 3C. In FIG. 3C,the spacing S is shown between the cross member 58 of the first link 54.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9B, the cross member 58 may comprise apart of the lower portion 59 (FIG. 8B) of the linkage system 52 that isconfigured to contact and urge the flexible cover member 130 to theextended position E shown in FIG. 9B. In the extended position E, theflexible cover member 130 has the flexible connector 152 extendedoutwardly, such that the retractable portion 156 of the flexibleconnector 152 is pulled or stretched as the inner surface 132B of theflexible cover member 130 is acted on by the lower portion 59 of thelinkage system 52. As the linkage system 52 returns from position Y(FIG. 9B) to the home or aft position H (FIG. 9A), it is contemplatedthat the retractable portion 156 of the flexible connector 152 willretract towards the at-rest position to bring the flexible cover member130 back to the retracted position R. Thus, the flexible connectors 150,152 are operable between stretched and at-rest positions. The flexibleconnector s 150, 152, and particularly the retractable portions 154, 156thereof, are resilient members that are biased towards the at-restposition. Due to this arrangement, the flexible cover member 130 isurged or biased towards the retracted position R by the flexibleconnectors 150, 152, such that the flexible cover member 130 remains incontinued contact with the linkage system 52 when the linkage system 52begins to act on the inner surface 132B of the plate member 132 byabutting the inner surface 132B to move the plate member 132 to theextended position E (FIG. 9B) from the retracted position R (FIG. 9A).In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the retractable portion 156appears in an accordion-style configuration, however, it is contemplatedthat a more smooth or continuous portion of flexible elastic materialmay be used as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C.

Referring now to FIG. 10A, the headrest assembly 20 is shown with theheadrest bun 22 in the extended position E, which correlates to theadjustable cover assembly 30 being in the deployed position D. Thus, theheadrest bun 22 is extended outwardly from the housing 24 as driven bythe linkage system 52 shown in FIG. 10B. In FIG. 10B, the headrest bun22 has been removed to reveal the mounting plate 42 to which theheadrest bun 22 is operably coupled. As noted above, the mounting plate42 is a front part of the linkage system 52. In FIG. 10B, the linkagesystem 52 is in the full fore position Z. In FIG. 10A, the linkagesystem 52 is substantially concealed by a combination of the adjustablecover assembly 30 and the housing 24. When the linkage system 52 is inthe aft position or home position H, the linkage system 52 issubstantially concealed by the housing 24 and only partially concealedby the adjustable cover assembly 30 as shown in FIG. 2A.

As noted above, the adjustable cover assembly 30 includes first andsecond members 30 a, 30 b, wherein first member 30 a is an inner memberrelative to second member 30 b, which is an outer member. First member30 a is generally telescopingly received in the outer second member 30 bwhen the adjustable cover assembly 30 is in the stowed position S (FIG.2A). As the linkage system 52 drives the headrest bun 22 outwardly tothe extended position E, the first member 30 a of the adjustable coverassembly 30 is also driven outwardly from a substantially concealedposition within the housing 24 and a nested position within secondmember 30 b. This is due to the fact that the first member 30 a isfixedly coupled to the linkage system 52, as further described below. Asshown in FIG. 10B, a gap G exists between the first member 30 a and thesecond member 30 b. The gap G disposed between the first and secondmembers 30 a, 30 b is provided to present an aesthetically pleasingadjustable cover assembly 30, wherein the telescoping motion of thefirst and second members 30 a, 30 b and the pivoting motion of thesecond member 30 b is a smooth and continuous appearing motion. The gapG between the first member 30 a and the second member 30 b adds to theoverall aesthetic of the adjustable cover assembly 30 and is maintainedduring movement of the adjustable cover assembly 30 from the stowedposition S to the deployed position D, as further described below.

Turning now to FIG. 11A, the housing 24 has been removed and theadjustable cover assembly 30 is shown in the deployed position D, suchthat the linkage system 52 is also in the Z position which correlates toa forward-most position of the linkage system 52. The gap G is showndisposed between the first member 30 a and second member 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 in FIG. 11A at an outer surface 190 of thefirst member 30 a. The gap G defines a clearing distance or spacingbetween the first and second members 30 a, 30 b to allow for independentmovement of the first and second members 30 a, 30 b. In FIG. 11A, thepivot point P7 is shown as defining a pivot access between the first andsecond members 30 a, 30 b for rotation of the second member 30 b in thedirection as indicated by arrow 94.

Referring now to FIG. 11B, the adjustable cover assembly 30 has beenremoved to reveal the linkage system 52 in the fore position Z. Themounting plate 42 of the linkage system 52 further includes an upperlanding 170 having an oblong shaped slot 172 with a clip member 174disposed therein. The upper landing portion 170 of the mounting plate 42provides a connecting location for the first member 30 a of theadjustable cover assembly 30. As further shown in FIG. 11B, a biasingmechanism 180, in the form of a spring, is shown coupled to a mountingaperture 176 disposed at a rear portion of the upper landing 170. Thebiasing mechanism 180 is contemplated to couple to an inner surface ofthe second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 for biasingthe second member 30 b of the adjustable cover assembly 30 towards anextended position as the mounting plate 42 is driven outwardly by thelinkage system 52.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the first and second members 30 a, 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 are shown exploded away from the linkagesystem 52. In FIG. 12 the linkage system 52 is shown in the aft positionor home position H. As further shown in FIG. 12, the biasing mechanism180 includes a first end 182 and a second end 184. The first end 182 isconfigured to couple to the mounting aperture 176 on the upper landingportion 170 of the mounting plate 42. The second end 184 is configuredto couple to a mounting tab 186 of the second member 30 b as best shownin FIG. 13A. As further shown in FIG. 12, the first member 30 a includesa generally inverted U-shaped configuration having an outer surface 190and an inner surface 192. The inverted U-shaped configuration of thefirst member 30 a is defined by first and second side portions 194, 196which are interconnected by a top portion 198. The top portion 198includes a downwardly extending mounting tab 200 disposed on the innersurface 192 of the top portion 198. The mounting tab 200 is configuredto receive the clip member 174 for clipping the first member 30 a to theupper landing portion 170 of the linkage system 52. The first and secondside portions 194, 196 further include inwardly extending mountingbosses 202. In FIG. 12, mounting boss 202 disposed on side portion 194is shown, while a similar mounting boss is contemplated to be disposedon the second side portion 196 at an inner surface 192 thereof. Themounting bosses 202 of the first member 30 a are contemplated to bereceived in mounting apertures 204 disposed on the rearwardly extendingbrackets 50 of the mounting plate 42 of the linkage system 52. Thus, inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, the first member 30 a is contemplatedto be fixedly coupled to the linkage system 52 via the connectionbetween the mounting tab 200 and clip member 174 with oblong slot 172 ofthe upper landing portion 170 of the mounting plate 42, and further bythe connection of the mounting bosses 202 with the mounting apertures204 of the rearwardly extending brackets 50. The lower rear portions ofthe first and second side members 194, 196 include pivot apertures 206,208 for pivotally coupling the second member 30 b to the first member 30a. Guide slots 210, 212 are elongate slots that are disposed above thepivoting apertures 206, 208 as shown in FIG. 12. The guide slots 210,212 are configured to receive guide members disposed on the secondmember 30 b, as further described below.

As further shown in FIG. 12, the second member 30 b also includes agenerally inverted U-shaped configuration with an outer surface 220 andan inner surface 222. The inverted U-shaped configuration of the secondmember 30 b is defined by first and second side portions 224, 226 whichare interconnected by a top portion 228. A rearmost edge of the topportion 228 includes the outwardly extending engagement flange 92 whichextends from the outer surface 220 of the second member 30 b along thetop portion 228 and the first and second side portions 224, 226. Asnoted above, the engagement flange 92 is configured to abut a portion ofthe housing of the headrest assembly for pivoting movement of the secondmember 30 b as the headrest bun extends forward. The second member 30 bfurther includes guide members 230 which are configured to be receivedin the guide slots 210, 212 of the first member 30 a. In FIG. 12, guidemember 230 is disposed on the inner surface 222 of the first sideportion 224 and extends inwardly. It is contemplated that the secondside portion 226 also includes a guide member such as guide member 230for coupling to guide slot 212 of the first member 30 a. Disposed belowthe guide member 230, a pivot member 232 inwardly extends. It is furthercontemplated that side portion 226 also includes a pivot member 232. Thepivot members 232 of the second member 30 b are contemplated to bereceived in the pivot apertures 206, 208 of the first member 30 a todefine the pivot axis at pivot point P7 between the first and secondmembers 30 a, 30 b as shown in FIG. 11A. In the embodiment shown in FIG.12, the pivot member 232 is shown in the form of a clip havingspaced-apart engagement features 234, 236 which are flexibly resilientfor fitting into the pivot apertures 206, 208 of the first member 30 a.Once received therein, the engagement features 234, 236 retain thesecond member 30 b in a pivoting engagement with the first member 30 a.With the guide members 230 disposed in the guide slots 210, 212, thepivoting motion of the second member 30 b relative to the first member30 a is limited by the length of the guide slots 210, 212, which arecontemplated to be relatively short slots for restricting pivotingmovement of the second member 30 b.

As noted above, the first and second members 30 a, 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 are polymeric parts, such that the sideportions 194, 196 and 224, 226, respectively, can be spread-apart forproperly mounting the first and second members 30 a, 30 b. With specificreference to the first member 30 a, the first and second side portions194, 196 can be spread outwardly, such that the first member 30 a canfit over the top of the linkage system 52 and provide clearance for themounting bosses 202 with respect to the rearwardly extending brackets 50of the mounting plate 42. In mounting the first member 30 a, themounting bosses 202 will be received in the mounting apertures 204 ofthe rearwardly extending brackets 50 disposed on opposite sides of thelinkage system 52. The first and second side portions 194, 196 willresiliently return to their at-rest position shown in FIG. 12 to connectthe first member 30 a with the linkage system 52 when the mountingbosses 202 are aligned with and received in the mounting apertures 204.Further, downward movement of the first member 30 a onto the linkagesystem 52 will correlate to the coupling of the first member 30 a withthe oblong aperture 172 of the upper landing portion 170 of the mountingplate 42. In this way, the first member 30 a of the adjustable coverassembly 30 is fixedly coupled to the linkage system 52.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the second member 30 b of theadjustable cover assembly 30 includes flexibly resilient side portions224, 226. These side portions 224, 226 can be spread-apart to provideclearance for mounting the second member 30 b on the first member 30 a.Specifically, sufficient clearance is necessary in order to provide roomfor the guide member 230 and the pivot member 232 inwardly extendingfrom both the first and second side portions 224, 226. With the flexiblyresilient first and second side portions 224, 226 spread apart from oneanother, clearance is provided to couple the pivot member 232 with thepivot apertures 206, 208 of the first member 30 a. Further, the guidemembers 230 will be received in the guide slots 210, 212 of the firstmember 30 a as the second member 30 b is positioned over the firstmember 30 a. Once properly aligned, the guide members 230 and pivotmembers 232 will be received within the guide slots 210, 212 and pivotapertures 206, 208, respectively, and the flexibly resilient nature ofthe first and second side portions 224, 226 of the second member 30 bwill return to their at-rest position shown in FIG. 12 from an outwardlyflexed mounting position.

Referring now to FIG. 13A, the first and second members 30 a, 30 b ofthe adjustable cover assembly 30 are shown exploded away from oneanother in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 12. As noted above,the inverted U-shaped configuration of the second member 30 b is definedby first and second side portions 224, 226 which are interconnected by atop portion 228 to further define an interior 246 of the second member30 b in which the first member 30 a can partially nest. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 13A, the mounting tab 200 of the first member30 a is clearly shown for receiving clip member 174. Again, the mountingtab 200 and clip member 174 are used to fixedly couple the first member30 a to the linkage system 52 at mounting plate 42. As further shown inFIG. 13A, the biasing mechanism 180 is configured to couple to mountingtab 186 extending downwardly from the top portion 228 of the secondmember 30 b.

As further shown in FIG. 13A, the mounting boss 202 includes a number ofstandoff features 203 disposed therearound for spacing the inner surface192 of the first member 30 a away from the rearwardly extending brackets50 of the linkage system 52. Disposed along a rear edge 199 of the firstmember 30 a, a plurality of spacers 240, 242 are disposed along the topportion 198 and first and second side portions 194, 196, respectively.The spacers 240, 242 are inclined or wedged members which are configuredto engage an interior rim portion 244 of the second member 30 b as thefirst member 30 a is moved forward by the linkage system 52. The spacers240, 242 are configured to engage the interior rim portion 244 of thesecond member 30 b to maintain a gap G disposed between the first andsecond members 30 a, 30 b as described above with reference to FIG. 10Band FIG. 11B. The engagement of the spacers 240, 242 of the first member30 a to the second member 30 b is further described below with referenceto FIGS. 13B and 13C.

Referring now to FIG. 13B, a cross-sectional view of the adjustablecover assembly 30 is shown with the first member 30 a partially nestedwithin an interior 246 of the second member 30 b. The gap G is showndisposed between the upper or outer surface 190 of the first member 30 aand the inner surface 222 of the second member 30 b. In FIG. 13B, thespacer 240 disposed on the top portion 198 of the first member 30 a ispositioned away from the interior rim portion 244 of the second member30 b. As the linkage system 52 drives the first member 30 a in a forwarddirection as indicated by arrow F, the spacer 240 approaches theinterior rim portion 244 of the second member 30 b.

Referring now to FIG. 13C, the interior rim portion 244 of the secondmember 30 b is now in contact with the spacer 240 of the first member 30a for engagement therewith. The engagement of the spacer 240 with theinterior rim portion 244 of the second member 30 b causes the secondmember 30 b to move in a forward direction as indicated by arrow F alongwith and carried by the movement of the first member 30 a. As notedabove, when the first member 30 a begins to move the second member 30 bfrom a concealed position within the housing 24 of the headrest assembly20, the upwardly extending engagement flange 92 of the second member 30b will move towards engagement with the interior rim portion 100 of thehousing 24 as best shown in FIGS. 5E, 5F and 5G for pivoting the upperportion 96 of the second member 30 b relative to the first member 30 a.Again, the pivoting movement of the second member 30 b relative to thefirst member 30 a is a rearwardly pivoting movement at pivot point P7best shown in FIG. 5G.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described invention and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of theinvention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present invention, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

We claim:
 1. A flexible cover member of a vehicle headrest, comprising:a substantially rigid support frame having upwardly extendingspaced-apart side members; and a plate member coupled to a lower portionof the frame through a flexible joint and operable between extended andretracted positions, wherein ends of the plate member are coupled to theside members through first and second flexible connectors which extendfrom the joint to distal ends of the side members.
 2. The flexible covermember of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible connectors areoperable between at-rest and stretched conditions, and further whereinthe first and second flexible connectors are resilient members biasedtowards the at-rest condition.
 3. The flexible cover member of claim 2,wherein the plate member is in the retracted position when the first andsecond flexible connectors are in the at-rest condition.
 4. The flexiblecover member of claim 2, wherein the plate member is in the extendedposition when the first and second flexible connectors are in thestretched condition.
 5. The flexible cover member of claim 1, whereinthe plate member is operably coupled to the support frame at theflexible joint positioned between a lower portion of the plate memberand the lower portion of the support frame.
 6. The flexible cover memberof claim 1, including: a rigidifying member disposed on an inner surfaceof the plate member.
 7. The flexible cover member of claim 1, including:a plurality of mounting slots disposed on the support frame.
 8. Theflexible cover member of claim 1, wherein the flexible joint comprises aliving hinge.
 9. The flexible cover member of claim 1, wherein the platemember comprises a polymeric material.
 10. The flexible cover member ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second flexible connectors compriseretractable portions and the retractable portions are integrally moldedwith the plate member.
 11. The flexible cover member of claim 10,wherein the retractable portions are integrally molded with the sidemembers.
 12. The flexible cover member of claim 1, wherein the platemember is centrally located within the support frame.
 13. A vehicleheadrest cover member, comprising: a substantially rigid generallyU-shaped support frame; and a plate member coupled to a lower portion ofthe support frame through a flexible joint and coupled to side membersof the support frame through first and second flexible connectors,wherein the plate member is operable between a retracted position and anextended position, wherein the plate member is generally planar to thesupport frame in the retracted position.